Let me be clear from the start, I am no fan of Nasir El-Rufai. He has done a lot not to be admired.
I opposed his Muslim/Muslim politics. I condemn the wickedness the people of Southern Kaduna suffered during his eight years in office.
I have not forgotten that but he still has a human right to be respected by this government and the people who lead it.
El-Rufai is a human being. He is a Nigerian. He is a son, a father, a leader of a people. And his human rights must be totally respected.
What this government is doing to him is totally wrong and unacceptable. Nigerian is not a zoo at least not yet, even though this government will not mind to make it one before our eyes.
He has been kept locked up for over 250 days. EFCC to DSS to ICPC one agency after another one man, the only place they have not taken him to is the slaughter house.
Even after a court granted bail, they found another way to keep him inside. That is not justice. That is unnecessary punishment and heavy-handedness.
They are scared of him and his followers. They know with him out, they stand no chance.
And some northern elites who are afraid of him too are happy to see him silenced.
But let me say this to this government and its leaders You are in power today, wrongly or rightly, partly because of the same El-Rufai you now persecute.
Today you use power to deny one man his rights.
Tomorrow, that same power will turn on you and there will be no one to speak up for you, power you must remember is transient.
The northern elders and elites have not helped matters, they at this point must learn to forgive El-Rufai’s transgressions and public disrespect and humiliation for publicly chastising and insulting them because they did not want to support Tinubu.
At the end of the day, he is your son, you MUST not throw him away with the bath water. Bring him home first then deal with him in the family.
The denial of his rights is the denial of all our rights. If you can do this to a former Governor, what can you do to an ordinary Nigerian? I am sure there are thousands locked away in places and suffering in lockdowns all over since “End SEARS” protests.
To all those in government today who are using power to oppress, to steal, to silence, Know this you too will account one day soon, no matter how long it takes. Power is temporary. History does not forget. God does not forget.
I do not defend El-Rufai because I love him and his mistakes of the past. I defend him because I love Nigeria. Because if we allow this evil to stand, no Nigerian is safe in the hands of an evil government like this one.
Release him. Charge him to court and let the law speak. Stop using detention as punishment and a means to harass, intimidate and silence anyone.
Justice delayed is justice denied for him, and for all Nigerians.
Christopher I. D. Wenegieme ( MSHC)
Colorado
